In a world where trying to make things make sense seems to be a road to nowhere, it would be easy to stop thinking at all, and that's precisely what Trump wants.
You are right, as usual, the democrats need a cleaning of old and dated ideas, new blood, young people willing to work for the country, not their own pockets. They need to grow some balls too! They left Trump to exist politically after the J6 insurrection and now they pay for it! We all do.
I can only hope they will wake up now in the last hour and work on the solution. We pay for it anyway.
The Nordic model is great, but they will never leave the bone they grabbed.
I agree…all ‘representatives’ voted in should have term limits! All should have to face another primary if challenged! None of us in professional positions just got to ‘stay in place’ for the ride!! You earned your status! The Democratic Party has talented, energetic people who need to be mentored and encourage by their elder colleagues! That’s how you grow a core leadership for your team! On top of all that they need to vote PAC money out of politics, and place restrictions on investments during the fiscal year of employment. I would vote for a consumption tax!
Most Americans feel that the political parties don't hear them, that their voice and vote don't matter. And they're right. Congressional voting reflects that fact. The Republican Party is intent on destroying democracy, but all the Democratic Party has offered for years is platitudes and "strongly worded letters," while refusing to do anything that might upset AIPAC and corporate donors. Small election turnouts are not because of apathy - they are people saying, "a pox on both your parties."
The most pressing needs are judicial and election reform, to guarantee that every voice will be heard from the people - not billionaires and corporations. If that were to happen, the rest that is needed would quickly follow, because the vast majority of Americans want it: universal healthcare, affordable housing, parental leave policies, same welfare reform, sane immigration reform, a raise in minimum wage tied to the CPI, sane gun laws, etc. If we became a democracy, we would have what every other major democracy already has, because those are things most Americans want.
Drop that second column asap--I want to know what to do next.... Are you sending these columns to selected Dems in Congress or governors? They should read 'em... and stand up!
Important column! You raise the question whether US democracy is failing or has failed. In my view, economic democracy has been gone for a while. We still have the vestiges of political democracy in that we still vote, but that hallowed right is under threat and dark money is buying up the market on candidates. Can economic unrest lead to a new consciousness of political democracy? We'll see soon.
Let's go, ALL THAT ARE ABLE TO COME TO DC to STAND UP to this ILLEGAL, FASCIST,EVIL, INCOMPETENT,LAWLESS ADMINISTRATION!!!! November 22nd we gather with Jessica Denson, Cliff Cash, Robby Roadsteamer, Pissed off bartender, drop kick Murphy and US VETERANS to IMPEACH and REMOVE DONALD TRUMP!!!!! IT WILL BE THE TIME OF OUR LIVES WHILE WE RID THE WORLD OF THIS SCOURGE on society!!!!!!!!
The last time I marched in DC was 1969 when Nixons thugs gassed and beat the stuffing out of us. I’m a little too old to suffer another forceful beating, but we must take this country back by organizing politically and economically and our voices must continue to be loud through the next November elections…
I look forward to tomorrow’s post. By the way, I was very touched by your transparency and vulnerability in sharing your personal challenges. 💞 Thank goodness it fueled your wisdom and perspective and didn’t end up taking you down. ✨
Thank you Dana, I thought my experience had relevance in the context of the piece. I can’t be an advocate for truth if I can’t face my own truth, so I feel it had a place in the post.
Well spoken and presented. There are a number of back bench democrats that are leaving a mark and are worthy of our rallying behind. Jasmine Crocker, James Talerico, Pete Buttigieg, AOC, Jordan Wood (running in Maine against (I’m very concerned) Susan Collins, the female rep from Arizona whose name escapes me. There are also governors who are making a difference and lawyers doing some heavy lifting. With some effort, we can lift up these and other like minded individuals to be our knights. I’m anxious to read the second installment of your thinking!
Excellent piece. I have been holding onto hope with both hands and my feet since before 2024 election. I am distressed by how many people I meet that think life is just going to go on as before. They don’t yet feel direct effects. As I Watch ICE raids, read the horrors, review court outcomes and the admin corruption and blatant lies….I needed to get out and protest. You can’t stand on a bridge with hundreds of fellow citizens, feeling anger, energy and hope and still believe that our society isn’t changing.
I hope so. I hope people have truly had enough and are willing to do something about it!!!! Great article. Filled with truth we need to hear.
You are right, as usual, the democrats need a cleaning of old and dated ideas, new blood, young people willing to work for the country, not their own pockets. They need to grow some balls too! They left Trump to exist politically after the J6 insurrection and now they pay for it! We all do.
I can only hope they will wake up now in the last hour and work on the solution. We pay for it anyway.
The Nordic model is great, but they will never leave the bone they grabbed.
I concur
Blah, blah, blah.
I agree…all ‘representatives’ voted in should have term limits! All should have to face another primary if challenged! None of us in professional positions just got to ‘stay in place’ for the ride!! You earned your status! The Democratic Party has talented, energetic people who need to be mentored and encourage by their elder colleagues! That’s how you grow a core leadership for your team! On top of all that they need to vote PAC money out of politics, and place restrictions on investments during the fiscal year of employment. I would vote for a consumption tax!
Most Americans feel that the political parties don't hear them, that their voice and vote don't matter. And they're right. Congressional voting reflects that fact. The Republican Party is intent on destroying democracy, but all the Democratic Party has offered for years is platitudes and "strongly worded letters," while refusing to do anything that might upset AIPAC and corporate donors. Small election turnouts are not because of apathy - they are people saying, "a pox on both your parties."
The most pressing needs are judicial and election reform, to guarantee that every voice will be heard from the people - not billionaires and corporations. If that were to happen, the rest that is needed would quickly follow, because the vast majority of Americans want it: universal healthcare, affordable housing, parental leave policies, same welfare reform, sane immigration reform, a raise in minimum wage tied to the CPI, sane gun laws, etc. If we became a democracy, we would have what every other major democracy already has, because those are things most Americans want.
I agree to some extent Gary, but I fear the judiciary is compromised to some extent and there is no Congressional brake being applied.
I do believe economic disengagement can work but not fragmented like we are seeing.
I have reposted because this spoke to me in a way that nothing else has. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Thank you Nancy, I appreciate it.
I agree Nancy. Hard truth, but the operative word is truth.
Great intro. Look forward to the next piece.
Drop that second column asap--I want to know what to do next.... Are you sending these columns to selected Dems in Congress or governors? They should read 'em... and stand up!
Part 2 will drop tomorrow as for Dems, you can take a horse to water but you can’t make it drink.
Important column! You raise the question whether US democracy is failing or has failed. In my view, economic democracy has been gone for a while. We still have the vestiges of political democracy in that we still vote, but that hallowed right is under threat and dark money is buying up the market on candidates. Can economic unrest lead to a new consciousness of political democracy? We'll see soon.
I for one don't believe there's any reason to play nice with people who systematically RAPE and MURDER CHILDREN
Let's go, ALL THAT ARE ABLE TO COME TO DC to STAND UP to this ILLEGAL, FASCIST,EVIL, INCOMPETENT,LAWLESS ADMINISTRATION!!!! November 22nd we gather with Jessica Denson, Cliff Cash, Robby Roadsteamer, Pissed off bartender, drop kick Murphy and US VETERANS to IMPEACH and REMOVE DONALD TRUMP!!!!! IT WILL BE THE TIME OF OUR LIVES WHILE WE RID THE WORLD OF THIS SCOURGE on society!!!!!!!!
I love your enthusiasm Kristen, we need to bottle it and hand it around.
Thank you!!!!
The last time I marched in DC was 1969 when Nixons thugs gassed and beat the stuffing out of us. I’m a little too old to suffer another forceful beating, but we must take this country back by organizing politically and economically and our voices must continue to be loud through the next November elections…
That was my first visit to DC. What an introduction.
Thank you!!! Everything helps!!!
Hi Martin -
I am struck by the clarity and agree totally with your post -
You mentioned sharing more about how Scandinavians govern - I would be interested in knowing more about that.
And I found myself asking — toward the end of your post — “who will lead this?”
Thoughts??
Thank you for your kind words Dana, can we circle back after you read the second part of my post tomorrow?
I look forward to tomorrow’s post. By the way, I was very touched by your transparency and vulnerability in sharing your personal challenges. 💞 Thank goodness it fueled your wisdom and perspective and didn’t end up taking you down. ✨
Thank you Dana, I thought my experience had relevance in the context of the piece. I can’t be an advocate for truth if I can’t face my own truth, so I feel it had a place in the post.
Martin
Me, too, as time and priority allow.
🫶🏽🙏🏽🥹 I am grateful for your voice your compassion and empathy.
Well spoken and presented. There are a number of back bench democrats that are leaving a mark and are worthy of our rallying behind. Jasmine Crocker, James Talerico, Pete Buttigieg, AOC, Jordan Wood (running in Maine against (I’m very concerned) Susan Collins, the female rep from Arizona whose name escapes me. There are also governors who are making a difference and lawyers doing some heavy lifting. With some effort, we can lift up these and other like minded individuals to be our knights. I’m anxious to read the second installment of your thinking!
The new phoenix cannot rise, except from the ashes of the old.
Excellent piece. I have been holding onto hope with both hands and my feet since before 2024 election. I am distressed by how many people I meet that think life is just going to go on as before. They don’t yet feel direct effects. As I Watch ICE raids, read the horrors, review court outcomes and the admin corruption and blatant lies….I needed to get out and protest. You can’t stand on a bridge with hundreds of fellow citizens, feeling anger, energy and hope and still believe that our society isn’t changing.
Not to worry! Keep it up -- maybe some folks will learn to read more skillfully and engage in some longer, more thoughtful texts.
You are doing fine, and the thinking is high quality, so please do carry on!!😊
Great writing! Don’t apologize for your views. Many of us hold the same, and stand with you!